As many of us begin planning trips abroad, there is a crucial piece of advice you need to hear if you want to avoid bringing bed bugs back with you. This travel guidance is worth heeding, as nobody wants to be landed with such an unpleasant problem after returning from their holidays.
The Common Mistake Tourists Make
The pests tend to dominate the headlines each summer, and now luggage is being hauled out of storage once more, the anxiety resurfaces for many travellers. Yet if you assume a swift inspection of your hotel bedding will suffice, James Rhoades, expert, founder and CEO of ThermoPest, cautions that we are all searching in entirely the wrong place.
This is not the first expert guidance of its kind to emerge either. Previously, another tip was also shared to help prevent people carrying bed bugs home.
Peeling back the sheets to hunt for bed bugs might seem like common sense, but in practice, it is largely futile. "The biggest mistake travellers make is checking the sheets," said James. "Bed bugs don't hang around in open spaces; they hide in seams, frames and behind headboards. By the time you see one on the sheet, they've been there for a while."
Where to Actually Look for Bed Bugs
Put simply, you need to investigate more thoroughly if you are serious about staying pest-free. Bed bugs are masters of concealment. They do not lurk in the centre of the mattress where they are easily spotted. Instead, they gather in narrow, sheltered areas close to where people rest.
- Mattress seams and piping
- The edges and underside of the mattress
- Behind the headboard (a notorious hiding spot)
- Cracks and joints in the bed frame
- Gaps in nearby furniture
What to Look For
Not merely live bugs — which are small, flat and roughly the size of an apple seed — but also rust-coloured stains (their droppings), pale shed skins and tiny clusters of eggs. Miss those, and you could miss the problem altogether. Until it quite literally bites you on the bum!
The real danger is not simply a disturbed night's sleep; it is what unfolds after you check out. Bed bugs are seasoned hitchhikers. They burrow into suitcase seams, clothing folds and even inside shoes — and it does not take long, either.
James explained: "Even a single night's stay in an infested room is enough for bugs to transfer into your luggage. Then, once you're home, they spread quickly, into carpets, furniture and other rooms."
What to Do If You Spot Signs
Should you spot any signs of bed bugs, do not simply request the room next door. He added: "Bed bugs can easily spread between rooms." Instead, it is a much better idea to request a room in a completely different part of the building, ideally on another floor. And keep your luggage sealed until you are sure the new room is clear.
That is the golden rule — do not unpack immediately. Keep your suitcase on a luggage rack, positioned away from the wall, or even in the bathroom while you thoroughly inspect the room. Otherwise, you could end up bringing back more than you anticipated. It is a straightforward travel rule to stick to.
